2011 NBA Playoffs: Memphis Looks to Upset Thunder in Western Conference Semi-Finals

The #4 seed Oklahoma City Thunder will host the Upset minded #8 seed Memphis Grizzlies. The Thunder defeated Denver in five games and the Grizzlies upset San Antonio in six games in the first round of the 2011 NBA Playoffs.

Matchups are the key to this series.

At Point Guard Oklahoma City will hold the edge with Russell Westbrook over Memphis Michael Conley. Westbrook is averaging 21.9ppg, 4.6 rpg and 8.2 apg while Conley is at 13.7 ppg, 3.0rpg and 6.5 assists.

At Shooting Guard its a tie to me between Sam Young(Memphis) and Thabo Sefolosha(Oklahoma City). Young is scoring more points but Sefolosha is a better rebounder.

At Small Forward Oklahoma City wins this easy. Kevin Durant(Oklahoma City) is averaging a stellar 27.7 ppg, 6.8rpg and 2.7 apg while Tony Allen(Memphis) is only at 8.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg and 1.4apg. Durant will dominate this matchup all series long.

At Power Forward Zach Randolph of Memphis will win this matchup over Serge Ibaka(Oklahoma City). Randolph is averaging a double-double at 20.1ppg and 12.2 rpg while dishing out 2.2apg. Ibaka is at 9.9 ppg and 7.6rpg.

At Center Marc Gasol of Memphis holds a slight edge over Kendrick Perkins. Gasol's 11.7 ppg, 2.0rpg and 2.5apg looks better than Perkins 6.0 ppg, 8.0rpg and .9 apg. Gasol had a great series vs the Spurs but Perkins will cause him trouble.

Bench: The key for the Thunder will be James Harden(10.4ppg, 5.6rpg and 3.0apg) and Nick Collison(5.2ppg and 3.6rpg). Memphis gets alot more from their bench with help from players like O.J. Mayo(9.0ppg), Darrel Arthur(8.0ppg) and Shane Battier(6.5ppg with 4.2rpg). I give the edge to Memphis.

Coaching: Lionel Hollins has quietly turned Memphis into a contender over the last two years. He has a 117-150 record in his 4 years. Scott Brooks is three years into his coaching career. Brooks has a 127-105 record in those three years having turned the Thunder into a top notch team. Give Edge to Brooks.

Memphis won three of four contest against the Thunder in the regular season. I see a seven game battle here with the Thunder pulling it out.

The Series starts on Sunday in Oklahoma City with Game two on Tuesday. Game Three and Four are in Memphis on Saturday and Monday.